The Los Angeles Lakers (28-18) will continue their eight-game road trip against the Washington Wizards (12-34) on Friday after suffering a blowout loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week.
However, the Lakers are uncertain about whether star PG Luka Doncic will be available for the matchup, with tip-off at Capital One Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. ET,
Doncic suffered a first-quarter ankle injury against the Cavs on Wednesday. While he did return to the hardwood and logged 30 minutes in his team’s 129-99 loss, his status for Friday is up in the air.
Below, we’ll provide a Luka Doncic injury update ahead of the Lakers vs. Wizards game tonight, and identify a player worth targeting for your NBA picks, plus PrizePicks NBA projections and analysis for Friday night.
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Luka Doncic Injury Update vs. Wizards Tonight
Doncic is questionable to play Friday due to left ankle soreness.
His absence could have a major impact on how Los Angeles plays ahead of the weekend, as he’s easily been the Lakers’ most impactful player on offense.
The former Mavericks star is averaging a league-high 33.6 points per game. Only Detroit Pistons PG Cade Cunningham and Chicago Bulls PG Josh Giddey can top his mark of 8.7 assists per contest this season.
Doncic isn’t just a major contributor on offense, though. He ranks second in total rebounds (293) and steals (57) among Lakers players in 2025-26. His best backcourt partner could alleviate some of the pressure he faces on a nightly basis if he returns from injury on Friday, though.
What Lakers Players Benefit With Doncic Out?
Lakers SG Austin Reaves hasn’t played since Christmas Day due to a left calf strain, and was recently upgraded from out to questionable and could return on Friday night. As of publishing, Reaves is also questionable.
He averages 36.4 points per game when Doncic isn’t available this year and is well on his way to posting career-high numbers across the board in 2025-26, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.
The Oklahoma product is also attempting 27.0 true shot attempts per 100 possessions, according to databallr. There’s no telling what Reaves’ workload will be in his first game back, but he should be licking his lips in anticipation against a Wizards defense that’s giving up the second-most points per game (122.3) this year.
If Doncic and Reaves both sit, LeBron James will soak up a ton of usage, currently at 35.3% usage with both off the floor, per Add More Funds. Marcus Smart — who gets a revenge game tonight vs. his former team — is next with a 22% usage rate when both are off the floor. Smart has scored 10+ points in seven of his last 10 games.
Reaves isn’t the only Lakers player worth keeping an eye on, though.
Lakers C Deandre Ayton averages 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this year, but those figures climb to 17.0 points and 10.1 rebounds when the Lakers are Doncic-less.
The former Arizona Wildcat still has the talent that helped him average a double-double through his first seven NBA seasons.
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Austin Reaves PrizePicks Projections vs. Wizards
Here are the most popular Austin Reaves player picks vs. the Wizards tonight, if he is active, via PrizePicks.
- 23.0 Pts+Asts+Rebs
- 19.5 Pts+Asts
- 18.5 Pts +Rebs
- 10.5 FG Attempted
- 2.5 Rebounds
Make Lakers vs. Wizards Picks on PrizePicks
The Lakers are unsure about whether Luka Doncic is healthy enough after suffering a midweek ankle tweak against the Cavaliers. Still, several players can step up for Los Angeles amid its lengthy road trip if he’s ruled out on Friday.
Austin Reaves (if healthy), LeBron James, and Deandre Ayton are among the top names to watch.
No matter how you think Friday's game between the Lakers vs. Wizards plays out, you can cash in on your NBA picks on PrizePicks. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if your picks are right.
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